Cotton-picker.



PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905.

W. MORAVA.

COTTON PICKER.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 1, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNTED JUNE 27, 1905.

W. MORAVA.

COTTON PICKER.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 1. 1904.

SSHBETS-BHEET 2.

GEI

No. 798,210. PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905. W. MORAVA.

COTTON PICKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1904.

3 S HEBT 3.

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NITED STATES lPatented June 277, 1905.

IVENSEL MORAVA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COTTON-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,210, dated June 27', 1905.

Application filed July l, 1904. Serial No. 214.874.

Be it known that I, lVENsnL MonavA, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Chicag'o, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Pickers, of which the following' is a specification, reference being' had to the accompanying' drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved machine for picking' cotton in the lield, and particularly to avoid injury to the plants in such process.

It consists of the features of construction set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a rear elevation of my improved cotton-picker with one of the receiving-hoods removed. Fig. '2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with certain parts broken away. Fig. 4 is a partly-sectional upper end plan view of one of the picking' elements, section being' made across the air-pipes and part of the register-plates being' broken away to disclose the structure. Fig. 5 is a section at the line 5 5 on Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a detail section axially through the terminal of one of the picking'- lingers. Fig'. T is a similar detail view showing' a modified construction.

My machine is designed to travel along the rows of cotton-plants, having' two tractionwheels adapted to run in adjacent lanes between the rows of plants while the machine strides the row foroperating upon the plants in picking'. For this purpose it comprises an in verted-U-shaped or down wardly-open bifurcated frame comprising the vertical limbs l l and Lipper cross-neck 2, the same being' high enoug'h to pass above the tops of the highest cotton-plants when the machine travels along' the row. 'lhe U-shaped frame is supported upon two traction-wheels 3 3, which are journaled near the lower ends of the frame-uprights l l, respectively. The frame has a third wheel 5, which is a caster-wheel, journaled at the forward lower end of the framearm 6, which extends from the upper end of one of the side uprig'hts l forward in the vertical fore-and-aft plane of the traction-wheel at that side, so that the caster-wheel 5 may travel in the same lane as said traction-wheel.

Suitable means for hitching' a draft-animal or two or more tandem may be provided at the forward end of the arm 6. It is not considered necessary to show this means in the pres ent drawings.

'Ihe picking' means comprise upright cylinders 'T 7, which are carried by the machine at the opposite sides of the row of plants to be operated upon. Each of the upright sides 1 of the frame has an inwardly-extending bearing-arm 8, in which the lower end of the cylinder at that side has its shaft stepped, said shaft obtaining a bearing at the upper end in the cross-neck 2, above which there is fast on the shaft a bevel-gear 9 for communicating' power to rotate the cylinder. Such power is derived from one of the traction-wheels, being' communicated by a chain 10, passing' around a sprocket-wheel 1I rig'id with said traction -wheel and a sprocket-pinion l2 on the horizontal shaft I3, mounted in journal-bearings above the cross-neck 2 of the frame, said shaft having' bn-vel-gears l-l la, which mesh, respectively, with the bevel-gears 9 l) on the upper ends of the cylinder-shafts. The means by which these cylinders operate to pick the cotton consist of a multiplicity of flexible tubular fingers l5, projecting' radially in all directions from said cylinders and being' arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, said lingers being' of such length that they extend to the mid-vertical plane between the cylinders from opposite sides, so that they intrude among' the stems, branches, and twigs of the cotton-plants of the row which the machine strides in its operation and travel. lhe driving-train from the sprocket-wheel ll to the cylinders is calculated to revolve the cylinders in such direction and at such speed that the flexible fingers I5 at about the middle point of their length will have a rearward horizontal movement substantially equal to the forward movement of travel of the machine over the ground, so that as said lingers intel-weave with the stems and branches of the plants in the travel of the machine they press only lightly upon said branches as the machine travels, the outer ends having' the more rapid movement, tendlng to gather the branches rearward a little, while the mner ends near passing in.

For the purpose of such exibility they arepreferably made of rubber, reinforced, if necessary, for proper stiffness sutliciently to cause them normally to uphold their own weight without drooping materiallyat the `ends when fully extended. They are open and prefer- .ablyslightly enlarged .at the ends to. increase the mouth-area. ate upon the cotton-bolle which are sufiicientl y They are designed to operriperto bepluckedk by means of suctionl or inward current of air induced by means hereinafter described, which will be suflicient to cause a cotton-boll closeto which the end of any finger passes to be sucked onto the mouth of such finger. =It is not intended that the boll should pass into the,y tubes, and therefore eachngcr is provided with means just back ofits mouth for preventing the boll from A convenient means consists of .a screen of woven Vwirel-t), (see Fig. 6,) forward of which there is sucient space for the `bollto lodge without entering so far into the mouth as to be diflicult to dislodge. A-modiication of this device is shown in Fig. .7, in which inlieu of themere screen lthere is .avane-,wheel 17, which is rotated by the currentofV air, its lingers terminating in points which are turned in direction to screw into any boll which is sucked onto them. by an incoming current of air. The construction of the cylinders 7 and the air connections about to be described` is such as to cause the air to be sucked into the tubular fingers-15, while they are carried in the revolution of the cylinders through the plants-that is, at the inner side-and to be blown out through said lingers Whilel they are revolving at the opposite portion of their circuit,` during which, as hereinafter explained, they are withina hood within-which the cotton-bolls will be blown oli' or out of their mouths at that part of the circuit and gathered into a receptacle.

The structure for producing inward and outward air-currents through the fingers will now be described. For this purpose eachv of the cylinders is subdivided intosectoral chambers by radial partitions 7 a, corresponding in number to Vany desired number of vertical groups of lingers-that is to say, having' such avertical group of lingers 15 extending' from each sectoral chamber-and at the upper end the cylinder is closed by a register-plate 20, having two, apertures 21 and 22 atopposite sides of thefore-and-aft diametric plane, one of said apertures being connected, as hereinafter described, with the intake and the other with the discharge of an exhauster 23, which is mountednpon the cross-neck 2 and' driven by a chain24L around a pinion 25 on-` the exhauster-shaft from a sprocket-wheel 26 on the Y Opposite traction-wheel from that which rotates the cylinders. In the register-plate 20 the register-aperture 21 at the inner sidethat is, toward the row of plants-extends through a sufficient angle to register with the --upper ends of as many of the sectoral chambers of the cylinders 7 as necessary to keep the corresponding number of vertical groups of the picking-fingers in communication With the exhauster for suction as may be at any time in engagement or contact with any portion of the plants, so that every finger that is near enough to theplants to possibly engage and pluck-a boll of cotton therefrom is rendered operative for that purpose while in that position. The register-opening 22 at, the oppositeside-may extend over a -larger angle,

giving-more time-for the discharge of the bolls-into the gathering-hood or vertical conduit 29, which is made of light sheetmetal mounted on theframe andencompassing the outer side of each cylinder through .an angle corresponding to that of the register-.aperture 22, the hood or vertical conduit 29 terminates rearwardly in a mouth 3),having provision for the attachment thereto of the mouth of a 'bag 3l, which is made of open-meshed material openenough to avoid preventing the passage of the air therethrough and to avoid blocking the fan, but close enough to prevent the escape of the cotton-bolls, which aretherefore blown into such bag until it is as full as desired, when it may-be removed and-another. one substituted. The-particular vform of the register-plate by which it is adapted for connection of .its respective apertures with the intake and discharge of` the exhauster is a short hollow cylindermounted about the bearing of the shaft of the cylinder7, having its annular cavity divided into two chambers by a-vertical partition 20a,.the apertures 21 and 22 being in the lower disk or head ofsaid short cylinder, the upper disk or Wall-having suitable, preferably circular,- apertu'res 2Gb 20b for connection with the intake and exhaust pipes, respectively, of the exhauster'. The exhauster 23 may be of any suitable construction having its intake connected by branch pipes 32 32, one running to each of the cylinders 7 and its discharge likewise connected bybranch pipes 33.33,-one running to each of the cylinders, the pipes 32 32 being, as stated, connected at the register-openings 21 at the inner side of theregister-plate and the pipes 33.33 .being connected yat the registeropenings 22- at the outer side of said plates.

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Ido notlimit myself, to the particular means shown for producing' alternate suction and blast of air through the picking-fingers nor to the meansfor rotating such fingers. -Any mechanic will readily devisemany expedients and constructions adapted to reach the same result.

l claiml. In a cotton-picker, a carriage and mechanism thereon comprising hollow picking-lingers; means for intruding them into and withdrawing them from the plants as the carriage travels, and means for inducing air-currents through the lingers for detaching the bolls from the plants.

2. In a cotton-picker, a carriage or wheeled frame; hollow picking-lingers, and means for intruding them into and withdrawingthem from the plants, and means for causing' snc tion throug'h such ling'ers for drawing the bolls to their mouths while they are intruded into the plants, and means Vfor interrupt-ing such suction while they are at the withdrawn position.

3. In a cotton-pickel', a wheeled frame; hollow picking-lingers and mechanism for intruding them into the plants and withdrawing them as the Vframe travels along' the ground; means for inducing suction throug'h the lingers while they are intruded in the plants and for causing outward air-discharge through them while they are at withdrawn position.

4. Ina cotton-pickel', a wheeled frame; llexible hollow picking-lingers; means for intruding them into and withdrawingthem from the plants as the frame travels, and means for inducing' air-currents through the flexible lingers Vfor detaching the bells from the plants.

5. In a cotton-picker, a wheeled fra-me; hollow flexible picking-lingers; mechanism Afor intruding them into and withdrawing them from the plants the frame travels, and means Vfor inducing suction through such hollow lingers, to draw the bolls through the mouths while they are intruded, from the plants, and means for interruptingsuch suction while they are at withdrawn position.

l5. ln a cotton-picker, a wheeled frame; hollow flexible picking-fingers and mechanism for intruding them among the plants and withdrawing them as the frame travels; means for inducing suction through the lingers while they are intruded, and for causing' outward air-discharge from them while they are at withdrawn position.

T. In a cotton-picker, in combination with a frame adapted for travel along the rows of plants; hollow picking-lingers, and mechanism Vfor iutruding them into and withdrawing them vfrom the plants as the frame travels; means for inducing suction through the lingers for drawing the bolls to their mouths while they are intruded, and for causingoutward air-discharge through them when they are at withdrawn position; a hood in which the mouths of such lingers open when they are at such withdrawn position, and a receptacle into` which such hood discharges.

S. ln a cotton-picker, a carriage or wheeled frame; hollow picking-lingers, and mechanism for intruding them among the plants and withdrawing them therefrom as the Vframe travels over the ground; means Vfor inducing suction through the lingers while they are at intruded position, and for causing outward air-discharge .from them at withdrawn position; a hood encompassing' the mouthsof the lingers at the latter position, and a receptacle permeable to air, into which the hood discharges.

9. In a cotton-picker,hollow picking-lingers having' open ends, and obstructed bach of such ends to prevent the bells being drawn back thereinto; means for inducing suction inward through such open ends, and mechanism Vfor intruding the lingers into and witlulrawing them from the plants.

ll). In a cotton-picker, in combination with a suitable support and means adapting it to be moved over the ground, hollow piclinglingers carried by such support; means for inducing' suction inward through the open ends of such lingers to cause the bolls to be drawn and'held thereto, and .for causing airdischarge outward through said lingers for delivering the bolls therefrom.

11. ln a cotton-picker, hollow picking-lingers having' open ends and having an obstruction permeable to air bach of such ends, to prevent the bolls being' drawn baclt therein; a suitable support for carrying such lingers along' the ground with their ends exposed to the plants; means for inducing suction inward through such open obstructed ends, to cause the cotton-bells to be drawn and held thereto, and for causing' outward air-discharge through the same to deliver the bells therefrom.

12. In a cotton-picker, in combination with a frame adapted to Stride a row of plants, carrying-wheels supporting' the ends of such frame at opposite sides of thc row; a tube mounted upon either side arm of the frame, having a multiplicity of outwardly-extending hollow lingers open for the passage of air into and out of them; means for rotating such tubes, and means for drawing air tlu-reinto through the lingers and for discharging air therefrom through the lingers substantially for the purpose set forth.

13. In a cotton-picker, in combination with a wheeled frame, a hollow rotary device thereon comprising a multiplicity of outwardly-extending hollow lingers open for the passage of air into and out of the same; an exhauster having connections from its intake and discharge respectively leading to such rotary device at opposite sides of the axis of rotation, and connections by which said lingers come into communication with the intake connection while they are at the part of their path of rotation toward the plants, and with the discharge connection while they are at their part of the path of rotation away Vfrom the plants.

1i. 1n a cotton-picker, in combination with IOC a wheeled frame, an upstanding cylinder mounted on said frame, such cylinder having radial partitions subdividing it in to chambers; a multiplicity of hollow iingers leading outward from each chamber, such fingers being open for the passage inward and outward of air therethrough; a register-plate at the end of the cylinder liaving two apertures; an eX- hauster having its intake connected with one of said apertures, and its discharge connected with the other, and means for rotating the cylinder and for operating the exhauster as the machine travels.

15. In avcotton-picker, in combination with a wheeled frame, a rotary device mounted upstanding on such frame comprising a plurality of vchambers grouped about the axis of rotation, and a multiplicity of hollow picking-fingers projecting' from each chamber, open for the passage of air inward and outward therethrough; a registerplate which closes all the chambers at one end, having two a su pporting-frame and hollow picking-fingers openings; an air-exhausting device having its intake connected with one of said openings, and its discharge connected with the other,

and means for rotating said rotary device as` the machine travels.

16. In a cotton-picker, in combination 'with a bifurcated frame adapted to stride the row of cotton-plants, wheels supporting' its two arms; an upstanding rotary device upon each arm comprising a plurality of groups of protruding hollow picking-iingers, each group comprising a multiplicity of such fingers distributed along the height of said rotary element, such fingers beingl open for the passage of air inward and outward therethrough, said rotary-element comprising for each of said groups a separate chamber with which all the lingers of the group communicate; a registerplate which closes all the chambers at one end, having two openings; an air-exhausting device having its intake connected with one of said openings, and its discharge connected with the other, and means for rotating such rotary device as the machine travels along the row of plants.

17. In a cotton-picker, in combination with a bi furcated inverted-U-shaped frame adapted to stride a row of plants, wheels supporting its two ends; a rotary device mounted erect atA the inner side of each of said arms in position to pass at opposite sides of the row as the niachine travels, such rotary devices each comprising a plurality of air-chambers and a multiplicity of hollow picking-lingers extended from each chamber and distributed up and down along' the length thereof, the fingers from the two rotary devices being of such length as to approximately meet midway between said rotary groups of chambers, and

thereby to interlace with the .plants as said devices rotate; an air-exhausting device and connections from the intake to the groups of chambers of rotary devices at one end thereof, adapted for communicating with said charnbers at the vinnerside of their path of rotation, and connections from the discharge of said exhaust device leading to the said groups of rotary chambers adapted for communicating therewith at the outer side of their path of rotation.

18. In a cotton-picker, in combination-with a supporting structure, hollow pickers'and tingers carried thereby in position forfapproaching their ends to the plants; means for moving the lingers to Acause them to` approach and withdraw from the plants; means for inducing suction through such fingers for drawing the bolls to their mouths while they are in such approached position, and for interrupting such suctionwhenthey are at withdrawn position.

19. Ina cotton-picker, in combination with carried thereby in position to be approached to Athe plants, means for inducing suction through the vfingers for drawing the bolls to their mouthswhile they are thus approached, and for causingoutward,air-discharge through them when they are withdrawn.

20. In a cotton-picker, in combination with a supporting-t'rame, hollow pickingfingers .carried Vthereby in position to approach the plants as the frame is moved along the row of such plants; means .for inducing suction through the fingers for drawing-the bolls to their mouths while they are at such approached position, and for causing outward air-diswithdrawn position, and a hood in which the IOO mouths of such fingers stand when at with' drawn position.

21. In a cotton-picker, in combination With a supporting-frame, :hollow picking iingers carried thereby in position to approach the plants as the frame is moved along the row of such plants; means for inducing suction through the fingers for drawing the bolls to their mouths while they are at suoli approached position, and for causing outward air-discharge through such ingers when they are at withdrawn position, and a receptacle into which such fingers discharge at withdrawn position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, at Chicago, Illinois, this 24th day of June, 1904.

WENSEL MORAVA.

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